Citi Trends
JOB SUMMARY:
The Beauty Buyer is responsible for developing, sourcing, and executing the merchandise strategy for the Beauty categoryincluding cosmetics, skincare, haircare, and fragrance. This role will curate a compelling assortment that resonates with the African American Consumer, ensures competitive positioning in the market, and delivers against sales, margin, and inventory goals. The Beauty Buyer will balance trend, value, and innovation while fostering vendor partnerships and driving profitable growth across retail stores.
DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Merchandise Strategy & Assortment Planning
Develop seasonal and long-term buying strategies for the beauty category aligned with company objectives and customer preferences.
Curate a trend-right, inclusive assortment that reflects innovation and cultural relevance to the urban consumer.
Identify gaps and opportunities in assortment to drive incremental sales and customer engagement.
Collaborate with Planning to build assortment architecture, sales forecasts, and inventory plans.
Vendor & Product Management
Source and negotiate with vendors and suppliers to secure favorable terms, exclusives, and promotional opportunities.
Manage vendor relationships to ensure alignment with company standards on quality, compliance, and delivery timelines.
Continuously identify emerging brands, diverse suppliers, and innovation opportunities to differentiate the assortment.
Partner with Quality Control to resolve any product issues or recalls.
Financial & Business Management
Own sales, margin, inventory turn, and markdown performance for the Beauty category.
Monitor weekly selling reports, identify business drivers/barriers, and adjust assortment or flow strategies as needed.
Manage open-to-buy (OTB) budgets and partner with Allocation teams to ensure timely flow of goods into stores and eCommerce.
Drive profitability by balancing full-price selling, promotions, and clearance strategies.
Marketing, Visual, and Digital Integration
Partner with Marketing to support in-store events, digital campaigns, and influencer collaborations in the Beauty space.
Work with Visual Merchandising to ensure effective product presentation and storytelling in stores.
Trend & Consumer Insights
Stay on top of industry trends, competitive landscape, and consumer behavior with a focus on the urban beauty market.
Conduct market and store visits to evaluate competitors, spot trends, and gather inspiration for assortment strategy.
Utilize data, customer insights, and loyalty analytics to make customer-driven buying decisions
Deep knowledge of beauty trends and consumer behavior, with proven ability to identify products gaining traction on TikTok, Instagram, and other digital platforms.
Strong understanding of diverse beauty needs, including African American skin tones and hair textures, and ability to source products that reflect inclusivity.
Experience leveraging social media and cultural insights to inform buying decisions and product curation.
REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:
Merchant Mindset:
Strong eye for product and trends with the ability to balance art and science in buying. Financial Acumen:
Skilled at managing OTB, margin, and inventory productivity. Customer Focus:
Keeps the urban consumer at the center of all decisions. Negotiation:
Confidently negotiates terms and builds strong supplier relationships. Agility:
Able to pivot quickly based on business needs and market trends. Collaboration:
Works cross-functionally to align strategies and drive execution. Trend Awareness:
Actively engaged with TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms to anticipate whats next in beauty and translate viral trends into product opportunities. Cultural Insight:
Deep understanding of African American hair and skin needs, ensuring the assortment is inclusive, relevant, and resonates with our urban consumer. Customer Focus:
Keeps the diverse customer base at the center of all decisions, ensuring assortment reflects authenticity and innovation. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: Bachelors degree in Business, Merchandising, Retail Management, or related field (or equivalent experience). 46 years of retail buying or category management experience in beauty
(required) Strong negotiation and vendor management skills with a proven ability to build partnerships. Analytical and financial acumen with the ability to interpret sales data, OTB, and margin reports. Knowledge of African American beauty trends, brands, and cultural influences shaping consumer demand. Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and merchandising/assortment planning systems. Excellent communication, collaboration, and presentation skills. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee must frequently use their hands to handle or feel objects and must be able to speak and hear clearly. The employee may occasionally need to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. The employee must be able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment. GENERAL INFORMATION: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified. Equal employment opportunities are provided to all employees and applicants for employment. Discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. is prohibited.
Strong eye for product and trends with the ability to balance art and science in buying. Financial Acumen:
Skilled at managing OTB, margin, and inventory productivity. Customer Focus:
Keeps the urban consumer at the center of all decisions. Negotiation:
Confidently negotiates terms and builds strong supplier relationships. Agility:
Able to pivot quickly based on business needs and market trends. Collaboration:
Works cross-functionally to align strategies and drive execution. Trend Awareness:
Actively engaged with TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms to anticipate whats next in beauty and translate viral trends into product opportunities. Cultural Insight:
Deep understanding of African American hair and skin needs, ensuring the assortment is inclusive, relevant, and resonates with our urban consumer. Customer Focus:
Keeps the diverse customer base at the center of all decisions, ensuring assortment reflects authenticity and innovation. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: Bachelors degree in Business, Merchandising, Retail Management, or related field (or equivalent experience). 46 years of retail buying or category management experience in beauty
(required) Strong negotiation and vendor management skills with a proven ability to build partnerships. Analytical and financial acumen with the ability to interpret sales data, OTB, and margin reports. Knowledge of African American beauty trends, brands, and cultural influences shaping consumer demand. Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and merchandising/assortment planning systems. Excellent communication, collaboration, and presentation skills. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee must frequently use their hands to handle or feel objects and must be able to speak and hear clearly. The employee may occasionally need to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. The employee must be able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment. GENERAL INFORMATION: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified. Equal employment opportunities are provided to all employees and applicants for employment. Discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. is prohibited.